CSA Landscaping & Contractors recently became one of the first companies to take delivery of one of the two Kubota U-15 mini-excavators sold by Wynland Agri Services, Smith Power Equipment’s authorised distributor in the Western Cape territory of Paarl, Wemmershoek, Pniel, Stellenbosch, Klipheuwel, Malmesburry, Hermon and Wellington.

Established in 2008, CSA Landscaping is a well-known contractor for landscape architects, developers and individual property owners in the Paarl area. The company specialises in the maintenance of corporate gardens and estates; custom designed drainage systems for sports fields and building sites; building of natural working routes, wooden paths and decks; as well as construction of gabion walls.

Traditionally, landscaping is renowned for being manual labour intensive, but the recent arrival of compact equipment has changed the status quo. For this reason, when the Kubota U15-3 was launched locally this year, Jean Joubert of Wynland Agri Services knew that with its compact size and power, it would be a perfect fit for CSA Landscaping’s needs. “Because of the machine’s versatility, great power and functions like adjustable tracks, I knew that the U15-3 would be the ideal tool for CSA,” says Joubert.

CSA Landscaping went on to purchase one U15-3, and owner, Carl Arnold, says the machine is performing beyond expectations. It is used across a range of applications, but largely for soil preparation, digging tree holes and irrigation trenches. “The U153’s ability to work with a range of attachments makes it a versatile proposition for us. Its size also makes it very easy to transport between sites, given the nomadic nature of our business,” explains Arnold. “I am surprised by the power that this small machine can deliver.”

For most landscaping contractors, machine size is critically important. Given the nature of their applications, contractors are aware that they are likely to encounter worksite limitations, often restricted working width. With an operating weight of 1,5-tonne, the U15-provides enough power to tackle some of the toughest jobs in space-constrained environments.

However, a key feature that speaks directly to the common problem of width restrictions on landscaping sites is the U15-3’s hydraulic track that can adjust the track width from 1 240 to 990 mm. At the touch of a lever, operators can reduce the width to allow for navigation through narrow spaces, or increase the width, for better stability.

“The adjustable track width function allows the operator to retract the undercarriage, pass through single opening doors or gates, and then expand the undercarriage when working, for better machine stability,” explains Joubert.

Powered by the Kubota D782-E2-BH7 engine delivering 9,9 kW (13,3 hp) of power at 2 300 rpm, the machine comes with a range of advanced functions and cutting-edge technology synonymous with Kubota, the world’s leading supplier of compact excavators. For example, the three-pump system, which uses three independent pumps for boom, arm and swivel to make the cooperation between the three components smooth and efficient.

Apart from the array of innovative features, Arnold is also impressed by the aftermarket support from Wynland Agri Services.

Source: MoonDawn Media & Communications